Wrexham Complete Cross-Border Derby League Double

Wrexham remain intent on promotion to the Football League after their 2-0 cross-border derby win against Chester City.

Second half goals from Scott Quigley and Nicky Deverdics led Wrexham to victory in this Vanarama National League match.

More than 6,500 spectators were at the Racecourse and manager Dean Keates said: “It’s a massive win. We needed it to settle everybody down.

“We’ve been 12 games unbeaten, but with lots of draws and that has been highlighted. We have beaten our rivals and sent 6,000 fans home happy.

“The experience we had in our team today was massive. That shone through and we have kept 20 clean sheets now this season.”

Wrexham are fourth in the table and have extended their unbeaten run to 13 fixtures.

Scott Quigley scored their first goal with a clinical finish the edge of the penalty area on the hour, while Deverdics made it 2-0 with his first goal for the Reds.

Wrexham’s Nicky Deverdics. Pic: Getty Images.

The first touch by Deverdics gave him control and quick feet gave him the chance to fire home from close in.

Shrewsbury-born striker Quigley, signed on loan from Blackpool, has played a lot of his football in Wales, having played for The New Saints, Caersws, Cefn Druids and Carmarthen.

He has added a touch of scoring quality for Wrexham, firing seven in eight appearances so far.

Former Wrexham player and manager Andy Morrell, speaking on Calon FM radio, said: “Scott had three chances and scored his goal.

“He is a constant threat, has good feet for a big man and has added a different dimension for the team.”

The Reds have an outstanding defensive record, conceding only 28 goals in 37 matches and keeping a club record 20 clean sheets.

Wrexham also earned their first league double against rivals Chester since 1976, having won 1-0 away last November.

Midfield player Sam Wedgbury was Wrexham’s man of the match after a commending, influential display through the middle.

Defender Manny Smith was forced off injured after 12 minutes, replaced by Mark Carrington, and manager Dean Keates had to reshuffle his back four.

Dave Raven moved from full-back to centre-back, while Carrington slotted into Raven’s role out wide.

That new combination proved effective and kept Chester out in what could prove to be a crucial win.

Wrexham have eight matches left this season and are still chasing hard to ensure they are in the mix over the last few fixtures.

Marcus Bignot’s Chester have lost their last four games and earned only four points out of a possible 27 in the last two months.

Wrexham paid tribute to Kieron Durkan, their former midfield player who died last week.

The players also wore black armbands and there was a minute’s applause after nine minutes – the time Durkan scored for Wrexham against Manchester United in the FA Cup in 1995.

Wrexham: Dunn, Smith (Carrington 11), Pearson, Raven, Wedgbury, Quigley, Holroyd, Rutherford (Ainge 86), Deverdics (Wright 78), Kelly, Roberts. Subs not used: Franks, Carrington, Boden.

Chester: Firth, Halls, Astles, Hobson, Vose, Dawson, Waters (Mahon 79), Akintunde (White 72), Crawford, Archer (Hannah 71), Anderson (White). Subs not used: Jones, Jasskelainen (gk).

Referee: Neil Hair

Attendance: 6,511 (702 Chester).

Wrexham FC’s remaining Vanarama National League fixtures

March

Sunday 11 Wrexham v Chester City (Racecourse, noon)

Saturday 17 Woking v Wrexham (3pm)

Saturday 24 Wrexham v Maidstone United (Wrexham, 3pm)

Friday 30 Bromley v Wrexham (3pm)

April

Monday 2 Wrexham v Boredom Wood (3pm)

Saturday 7 Eastleigh v Wrexham (3pm)

Tuesday 10 Ebbsfleet v Wrexham (7.45pm)

Saturday 14 Wrexham v Dagenham and Redbridge (3pm)

Saturday 21 Leyton Orient v Wrexham (3pm)

Saturday 28 Wrexham v AFC Fylde (12.30pm)

National League Table

# Team Pl HW HD HL AW AD AL W D L F A Diff Pts Adj
1. Macclesfield Town 36 10 6 3 11 2 4 21 8 7 51 37 14 71 0
2. Sutton United 37 10 5 4 10 4 4 20 9 8 57 39 18 69 0
3. Tranmere Rovers 37 12 2 4 6 8 5 18 10 9 61 37 24 64 0
4. Wrexham 37 9 9 1 7 6 5 16 15 6 43 28 15 63 0
5. Aldershot Town 37 8 6 4 9 6 4 17 12 8 58 45 13 63 0
6. Boreham Wood 36 9 3 5 7 10 2 16 13 7 50 33 17 61 0
7. Dover Athletic 37 9 5 5 7 7 4 16 12 9 50 33 17 60 0
8. AFC Fylde 37 9 7 3 7 3 8 16 10 11 68 46 22 58 0
9. Ebbsfleet United 37 9 5 4 5 9 5 14 14 9 48 42 6 56 0
10. Bromley 35 8 5 5 7 5 5 15 10 10 58 42 16 55 0
11. Dagenham and Redbridge 36 10 2 7 4 7 6 14 9 13 54 49 5 51 0
12. Gateshead 35 7 6 5 4 8 5 11 14 10 49 37 12 47 0
13. Maidenhead United 36 7 6 5 5 5 8 12 11 13 50 55 -5 47 0
14. Eastleigh 36 5 9 4 5 6 7 10 15 11 53 58 -5 45 0
15. Leyton Orient 36 5 6 7 6 4 8 11 10 15 43 49 -6 43 0
16. Woking 37 9 4 6 3 3 12 12 7 18 45 58 -13 43 0
17. FC Halifax Town 36 6 4 7 4 8 7 10 12 14 39 47 -8 42 0
18. Maidstone United 36 4 7 7 6 5 7 10 12 14 43 55 -12 42 0
19. Hartlepool United 36 5 5 8 4 6 8 9 11 16 39 52 -13 38 0
20. Barrow 34 3 9 5 5 3 9 8 12 14 41 48 -7 36 0
21. Solihull Moors 35 5 5 7 4 2 12 9 7 19 35 50 -15 34 0
22. Chester 37 4 4 10 2 8 9 6 12 19 32 61 -29 30 0
23. Torquay United 36 3 5 10 3 4 11 6 9 21 32 61 -29 27 0
24. Guiseley 36 3 7 7 2 3 14 5 10 21 31 68 -37 25 0

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